SAN JOSE, Calif. — Two-time Bellator lightweight champion “Iron” Michael Chandler and former UFC champion “Smooth” Benson Henderson, two of the best lightweights in the world, took to the Bellator cage for the promotion’s title.

The fight, which was years in the making, did not disappoint.

Chandler, despite surviving a fifth round onslaught after dominating early on, left SAP Center retaining his title in a split decision victory over Henderson (48-46, 46-48, 48-47).

“Benson’s a heck of a competitor,” said Chandler. “You can’t be perfect in here, you’ve just got to find a way to win. That’s what I did.”

In typical Chandler fashion, the Missouri University product was attacking early. The defending champion was landing with both kicks and stand-up strikes, resulting in a drop of his opponent by uppercut. The showcase of Chandler’s talents persisted as he landed more brutal shots, then picked up and took down Henderson. Victory appeared in the sights of Chandler, but “Smooth” refused to be finished. No strike or submission could end this fight.

Henderson, having survived a barrage that many lightweights could not, appeared recovered in the second. Chandler, on the other hand, seemed to be fatigued. Smooth finally found the range to return the favor with a drop of the opposition via a knee. The stalking of Chandler had begun. Though, not for long. Henderson started absorbing more damage in stand-up action, especially in the final minute.

A Henderson spinning kick drew first blood. Blood began to trickle from under the eye of Chandler before a grappling battle ensued. Chandler stuffed a takedown attempt and answered with an uppercut and 1-2 combination. Henderson’s next takedown attempt also failed, and Chandler had a tight guillotine locked in with just over two minutes remaining. Ten seconds later, the fight continued as Henderson withstood the submission. Moreover, he closed the segment strong by dropping sharp elbows in a wrestling sequence.

The championship rounds began with exchanges as well as another lifted takedown by Chandler. On the canvas, Henderson unsuccessfully tried a kimura before the two momentarily returned to stand-up. Between the 2:03 and 1:43 marks, the Missouri native responded with two successful takedowns. More submission attempts were employed by the former UFC champion, one in which had the crowd roaring at the end of the fourth. Chandler displayed his will to retain gold and reversed position to force a fifth and final round.

The last five minutes was easy for the judges; Benson Henderson’s endurance had become a factor. Anywhere and everywhere, Smooth landed on the reigning champion. Whether punches, kicks, or ground strikes, Henderson was closing the bout on his terms. Following another takedown by Henderson, Chandler absorbed hammer fists and elbows while avoiding submission attempts. The champion’s will had come into play and it ultimately helped him defend his belt.

With the win, Michael Chandler increased his winning streak to four, although his finish streak ended at three straight opponents. Benson Henderson is now 1-2 with his new promotion. Smooth has stated 2017 could be his last year in MMA because of aspirations to pursue a military career.

“San Jose, if your boy Josh Thomson steps back into this cage and does not stand across the cage from me, he is an absolute coward,” Chandler finished. “I’d love to run it back with Benson Henderson, put the pain on him next time. Tonight, even though I won, it wasn’t my night. I will be back, believe it.”

Bellator 194, Nelson vs. Mitrione Pre-Fight Notes

Bellator takes over the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut later tonight. The promotion hosts, Bellator 194: Nelson vs. Mitrione from the venue, beginning at 6:30 pm (ET). Bellator 194 marks the 17th trip to the Mohegan Sun Casino. Their last trip, took place a little more than a few months ago in October of 2017, Bellator 185. The first trip to the Connecticut casino, occurred all the way back in April of 2009, and the second ever event held by the promotion, Bellator 2.

Twenty four fighters will make the walk later tonight, giving fans 12 bouts to watch from prelims to main event. Of the 24 athletes set to compete, five make their professional debuts. Peter Nascimento, Mike Kimbel, Pat Casey, Ross Richardson, and Ronnie Leon all fight for the first time, professionally. As amateurs, the group holds a combined record of 18-12. Only Ross Richardson maintained an undefeated amateur record (3-0).

In recent cards past, only some full broadcasts brought forward newly professional fighters. Events such as Bellator 191, 190, and 187, only broadcast short main card. While events like 193, 192, 189, 188, and 186 broadcast full fight cards. Since November of 2017, 15 fighters made their pro debuts with the Bellator promotion. Including Khonry Gracie in his unanimous decision loss to Devon Brock (Bellator 192), and Ty-wan Claxton, in his amazing KO finish of Johnny Bonilla-Bowman in the first round of Bellator 186. Claxton makes his second pro appearance tonight at Bellator 194 against Jose Antonio Perez, whom also fights for the second time professionally.

Upon completion of Bellator 194’s broadcast, 50% of the promotions first round matches in their Heavyweight Grand Prix will be decided. It is nearly impossible to choose, one match-up more interesting than the others. Yet, the Mitrione vs. Nelson match up is not only puzzling to fans and media alike. One half of the main event, at least, was once annoyed by the prospect of fighting his former TUF cast mate. Mitrione spoke to MMAJunkie about his reaction to the match-up, “Well, I asked them, how does that make sense? Roy is arguably the #2 guy in the division… Explain that to me, is there any seeding?…” He continued, “But the more I thought about, the less I really cared. Either I beat Roy when I have the strap, or I beat Roy to get the strap. What the hell difference does it make?”

In one bit of event news, fan favorite flyweight, Heather Hardy missed weight, in what turned out to be an odd set of circumstances. According to Hardy, she believed she made weight, without stripping down and using the towel. It was her understanding that the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation gave her a weight allowance for the bikini top and bottom she wore while on the scale. Hardy weighed in at 126.25 lbs. with the aforementioned bikini top and bottom.

This understanding was not shared by president of Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, Mike Mazzulli. The president made the decision to record Hardy’s weight without allowing her to disrobe, or take use the extra two hours allotted to make weight. It was his understanding upon examining and attempting to communicate with Hardy whilst she stood on the scale that brought him to the decision. After renegotiation of the bout agreement, Hardy was fined 20% of her purse which goes to her opponent Ana Julaton.

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Bellator 194 Weigh Ins Live Video

Bellator 194 takes place Friday, February 16th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The stacked main card features the second bout in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix matching Roy Nelson against Matt Mitrione. Both former members of the UFC roster, Mitrione and Nelson look to make a further impact in the Bellator Heavyweight division with a potential step towards the divisions championship crown. In the co-main event, MMA veteran Patricky Pitbull takes Derek Campos. The two will most likely battle for the next shot at the promotions Lightweight title, following the Brent Primus (c) vs. Michael Chandler rematch. Other notable bouts on the card include Liam McGeary vs. Vadim Nemkov, Heather Hardy vs. Ana Julaton, and Tywon Claxton against Jose Antonio Perez. Bellator 194 airs live on the Paramount network, main card beginning at 9 pm.

The official weigh-ins took place earlier today, the results are listed below.

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Exclusive: Saad Awad looking for the quick knockout at Bellator 193

Saad Awad makes his return to the Bellator cage Friday as he takes on JJ Ambrose.

The veteran Awad has been with Bellator since 2013, amassing a 9-5 record in the process, with five of those wins coming via knockout. Impressive wins against Will Brooks and Evangelista Santos feature on his 21-9 record.

The heavy-handed striker gets to fight in his backyard of California for the first time in over a year. A native of San Bernardino, Awad is fighting only forty-five minutes from his home, in the co-main event no less.

“It’s great,” Awad told MMA Latest about co-main eventing in California. “I’m about forty-five minutes from my house, the arena sold out the week they released the tickets. So I know a lot of people are going to be here and the energy’s going to be really good, it’s going to be great, and it’s going to help me mentally.”

Meeting Awad in the co-main is a fellow California native himself, JJ Ambrose. Ambrose has been fighting since 2005 and has amassed 26 wins in his 13-year career.

“He’s a veteran, he kind of flew under the radar,” Awad said. “He’s fought all over the place. I think he brings a lot of experience, a good solid stand-up, and ground game, and wrestling.”

Although Awad highlighted Ambrose’s quality, make no mistake, the “Assassin” believes he holds all the advantages.

“I match-up with him great, to be honest, I think my striking is a little bit better, I think I hit a lot harder and my jiu-jitsu’s going to be a bit better, and I’m going to be able to outwrestle him,” Awad explained. “So I think stylistically it’s a bad matchup for him.”

Awad is coming off of a quick KO, one minute, seven seconds, over Zach Freeman. The quick win didn’t come as a surprise to Awad as he always expects to finish his opponents quickly.

“I mean, not be cocky, but I expect to get a quick KO against everybody,” Awad said. “When I don’t get a quick KO then I’m like ‘okay something’s wrong’ so then I have to change my gameplan up. So nothing against Zach Freeman, I mean, every fight I go in there looking for the quick knockout.”

Currently, on a solid two-fight winning streak, Awad highlights what exactly the key’s been for him to get this far.

“Honestly, I’ve just been training a lot,” Awad said. “I’ve just been training and focusing a lot on little details that I knew were my flaws, and every fight I’ll keep something new. If I see something go wrong in one of my fights, I’ll tweak that out and train it and get a little bit better and then just try and keep improving.”

With a win taking Awad to three victories in a row, it would make sense to offer the veteran a big fight. But Awad doesn’t have a name in mind next, although he doesn’t believe it would matter anyway.

“Whoever they give me,” Awad said. “I can ask for fights but they won’t give them to me. “My only thing is trying to get a title fight, I’m not even going to ask for that anymore. I’m going to ask them to keep me busy. I just want to stay busy. I get paid the same no matter who I fight so as long as they keep me busy, that’s what I’m happy for.”

As for 2018, Awad’s goals remain simple.

“Keep winning,” Awad said. “Stay busy and keep winning.”

If things go the way Awad expects, fans are in for a treat. As for Ambrose? Not so much.

“I’m going to go in there and leave with a knockout, a violent knockout,” Awad said. “Get my hand raised, talk some shit, and leave.”